Korean J Dermatol.  2003 Nov;41(11):1494-1499.

bcl-2 and Involucrin Expression in Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Kim YC
• Park HJ
• Cinn YW

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The histologic distinction between basal cell carcinoma(BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) is sometimes difficult, but clinically important because the risk of progressive disease is significantly higher with SCC than BCC. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to investigate the usefulness of bcl-2 and involucrin staining in distinguishing BCC from SCC. METHODS: We studied 10 cases of BCC and 10 cases of SCC with monoclonal antibodies for bcl-2 and involucrin. RESULTS: Five of 10 cases of BCC stained with bcl-2, but none of SCC stained. Only 2 of 10 cases of BCC stained weakly with involucrin, but all 10 cases of SCC stained moderately or strongly. CONCLUSION: A panel of antibodies for bcl-2 and involucrin may be useful in distinguishing BCC from SCC. We might speculate that involucrin is a more useful marker because it is moderately to strongly positive for all cases of SCC while weakly positive for only 2 of 10 cases of BCC.

Keyword

Basal cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; bcl-2; Involucrin

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal
Carcinoma, Basal Cell*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Antibodies
Antibodies, Monoclonal